Sent on behalf of Knight Creative Communities Institute: Residents Invited to Transform Utility Boxes into Local Public Art

Sent on behalf of Knight Creative Communities Institute:

Residents Invited to Transform Utility Boxes into Local Public Art

TALLAHASSEE, Fla – Leon County Government and KCCI (Knight Creative Communities Institute) invite residents to submit artwork for the chance to have their art transform utility boxes at libraries and other public spaces as part of the Art of the Box project.

“We are excited to further support Leon County’s thriving art scene by partnering with KCCI on Art of the Box, which gives local artists an opportunity to display their works in unexpected places,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Rick Minor, who also serves as a KCCI Advisory Board Member. "Projects like Art of the Box showcase the diversity, creativity and incredible talent of Leon County’s visual artists."

Four artists based in Leon County will be selected through a free online application process to convert the utility boxes into three-dimensional artwork. The artists’ artwork will be placed on weather-resistant vinyl that will wrap the boxes, and each artist will receive a stipend.

Interested artists are invited to submit original, inspired and/or uplifting artwork by May 15 at https://forms.gle/6CuJ8CebPXqLoEYt9.

Details on submission parameters, visuals of the boxes, and project specifics can also be found in the Call for Artists on KCCI’s web page, https://kccitallahassee.com/project/access-art-tlh/. Anyone can submit artwork free of charge. Art designs should enhance the surrounding environment and portray color and creativity.

Locations include:

• A series of boxes at the Leroy Collins Leon County Main Public Library
• A series of boxes at the Leon County Courthouse
• A series of boxes at the Woodville Branch Library
• A box near the entrance of Apalachee Regional Park

“Public art increases community engagement, improves mental health and encourages social cohesion,” said Betsy Couch, KCCI Executive Director. “Art of the Box provides a variety of benefits including economic opportunity and marketing for local artists while showcasing the diversity of talent we have in Leon County.”

The Art of the Box concept was piloted in fall 2020 and converted nine graffiti-covered boxes into works of art, while still maintaining the functionality of the boxes. It was a collaboration between KCCI, City of Tallahassee, Leon County, COCA, Fast Signs and Taproot Creative. One of boxes transformed was an artistically covered utility box at Lake Anita Preserve by artist Perdita Ross titled "Harmony." Due to the popularity of the pilot project, KCCI established a volunteer Community Catalyst team to implement ways for expansion, which resulted in the continued Leon County partnership.

“Leon County is committed to providing long-lasting community partnerships that enhance our community for generations to come,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “This project makes more local art accessible for everyone while engaging and connecting us as a community.”

Past Leon County and KCCI collaborations have resulted in transformative projects that appeal to residents of all ages and backgrounds such as the iconic TLH letters, Discovery play area in Cascades Park, Frenchtown Farmer’s Market, and Sustainable Tallahassee.

This project supports the City of Tallahassee/Leon County Capital Area Cultural Plan that was adopted in 2014 by creating more art in public spaces. The plan outlines a vision and programmatic direction for public art in Tallahassee/Leon County. In the plan public art projects were one of the categories of projects deemed to be most beneficial to the City of Tallahassee/Leon County. For more information about the Capital Area Cultural Plan, visit coca.tallahasseearts.org/about-coca/cultural-plan.

For more information and to submit artwork for consideration in Art of the Box, visit https://kccitallahassee.com/project/access-art-tlh/. For more information, contact Betsy Couch at (850) 509-3767 or Mathieu Cavell at (850) 606-5300.

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About KCCI: Established in 2007, KCCI is a local organization committed to positive placemaking and community collaboration in Tallahassee. KCCI projects have generated nearly $1 Billion in economic impact for Leon County. A new group of volunteer Community Catalysts is selected to plan and implement each annual project. KCCI is made possible by partners including: Knight Foundation Fund at the Community Foundation of North Florida, Archibald Foundation, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, VyStar Credit Union, Taproot, FAMU School of Business and Industry, Florida State University College of Business, NAI Talcor, Structure Real Estate, Nolia & Bill Brandt, Lewis + Whitlock, Wood + Partners, Brown & Brown, BowStern Marketing, Serena and Jon Moyle, Cassidy and Company, Tharpe Construction, Flightline Group, Inc., Drs. Chaney, Couch, Callaway, Carter and Associates Family Dentistry, Charlie Johnson and Rowland Publishing.

The 2021 KCCI Community Catalyst team includes: Joey Arellano; Scott Balog, Tallahassee Community College; Erika Branchcomb, Florida League of Cities; Cyrus Calhoun, III, Florida House of Representatives; Shannon Colavecchio, The Moore Agency; Nipa Eason, SalterMitchell PR, Talethia Edwards, Department of Health, Khari James, State Attorney's Office, 2nd Judicial Circuit; Tyler Maldonado, Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Marie Moyle, U.S. Attorney's Office; Ali Palmer, Kimley-Horn; Aaron Redda, Florida Public Service Commission and USF; and Daniel Taylor, Daniel Taylor Consulting, Inc. For more information on KCCI visit the KCCI website.

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